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Social Vulnerability to Environmental Hazards

About: The article was published on 2010-01-01 and is currently open access. It has received 1006 citations till now. The article focuses on the topics: Social vulnerability & Vulnerability.
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: To build collective resilience, communities must reduce risk and resource inequities, engage local people in mitigation, create organizational linkages, boost and protect social supports, and plan for not having a plan, which requires flexibility, decision-making skills, and trusted sources of information that function in the face of unknowns.
Abstract: Communities have the potential to function effectively and adapt successfully in the aftermath of disasters. Drawing upon literatures in several disciplines, we present a theory of resilience that encompasses contemporary understandings of stress, adaptation, wellness, and resource dynamics. Community resilience is a process linking a network of adaptive capacities (resources with dynamic attributes) to adaptation after a disturbance or adversity. Community adaptation is manifest in population wellness, defined as high and non-disparate levels of mental and behavioral health, functioning, and quality of life. Community resilience emerges from four primary sets of adaptive capacities—Economic Development, Social Capital, Information and Communication, and Community Competence—that together provide a strategy for disaster readiness. To build collective resilience, communities must reduce risk and resource inequities, engage local people in mitigation, create organizational linkages, boost and protect social supports, and plan for not having a plan, which requires flexibility, decision-making skills, and trusted sources of information that function in the face of unknowns.

3,592 citations


Cites background from "Social Vulnerability to Environment..."

  • ...We say little about vulnerability in this paper, but it has been and should remain an important concept in hazard management (e.g., Cutter et al. 2003, 2006)....

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  • ...Hazard risk is neither randomly nor evenly distributed (Cutter et al. 2003)....

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  • ...Societies do not allocate environmental risk equally, often making the poorest communities the weakest links in hazard mitigation (Cutter et al. 2003; Godschalk 2003; Tobin and Whiteford 2002)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the disaster resilience of place (DROP) model is proposed to improve comparative assessments of disaster resilience at the local or community level, and a candidate set of variables for implementing the model are also presented as a first step towards its implementation.
Abstract: There is considerable research interest on the meaning and measurement of resilience from a variety of research perspectives including those from the hazards/disasters and global change communities. The identification of standards and metrics for measuring disaster resilience is one of the challenges faced by local, state, and federal agencies, especially in the United States. This paper provides a new framework, the disaster resilience of place (DROP) model, designed to improve comparative assessments of disaster resilience at the local or community level. A candidate set of variables for implementing the model are also presented as a first step towards its implementation.

3,119 citations


Cites background from "Social Vulnerability to Environment..."

  • ...Few researchers have attempted to combine all the factors that contribute to vulnerability, let alone measure them empirically (Cutter et al., 2003)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience by establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another.
Abstract: There is considerable federal interest in disaster resilience as a mechanism for mitigating the impacts to local communities, yet the identification of metrics and standards for measuring resilience remain a challenge This paper provides a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience By establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another We apply our methodology to counties within the Southeastern United States as a proof of concept The results show that spatial variations in disaster resilience exist and are especially evident in the rural/urban divide, where metropolitan areas have higher levels of resilience than rural counties However, the individual drivers of the disaster resilience (or lack thereof)-social, economic, institutional, infrastructure, and community capacities-vary widely

1,294 citations


Cites background from "Social Vulnerability to Environment..."

  • ...Cutter et al.’s Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) is perhaps the most well-known and widespread example (Cutter et al. 2003)....

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  • ...’s Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) is perhaps the most well-known and widespread example (Cutter et al. 2003)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the development of a social vulnerability index (SVI) from 15 census variables at the census tract level for use in emergency management is described, and the potential value of the SVI by exploring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on local populations.
Abstract: Social vulnerability refers to the socioeconomic and demographic factors that affect the resilience of communities. Studies have shown that in disaster events the socially vulnerable are more likely to be adversely affected, i.e. they are less likely to recover and more likely to die. Effectively addressing social vulnerability decreases both human suffering and the economic loss related to providing social services and public assistance after a disaster. This paper describes the development of a social vulnerability index (SVI), from 15 census variables at the census tract level, for use in emergency management. It also examines the potential value of the SVI by exploring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on local populations.

949 citations


Cites background or methods from "Social Vulnerability to Environment..."

  • ...African Americans; Native Americans; and populations of Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic origin are correlated with higher vulnerability rates (Cutter et al. 2003; Elliot and Pais 2006)....

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  • ...Multi-unit housing in densely populated urban areas also poses a heightened risk for tenants (Cutter et al. 2003)....

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  • ...…(comprising race, ethnicity, and Englishlanguage proficiency variables): The social and economic marginalization of certain racial and ethnic groups, including real estate discrimination, has rendered these populations more vulnerable at all stages of disaster (Morrow 1999; Cutter et al. 2003)....

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  • ...The poor are less likely to have the income or assets needed to prepare for a possible disaster or to recover after a disaster (Morrow 1999; Cutter et al. 2003)....

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  • ...Children and elders are the most vulnerable groups in disaster events (Ngo 2001; Cutter et al. 2003:251)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The framework presented enhances the discussion on how to frame and link vulnerability, disaster risk, risk management and adaptation concepts and shows key linkages between the different concepts used within the disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation research.
Abstract: The paper deals with the development of a general as well as integrative and holistic framework to systematize and assess vulnerability, risk and adaptation. The framework is a thinking tool meant as a heuristic that outlines key factors and different dimensions that need to be addressed when assessing vulnerability in the context of natural hazards and climate change. The approach underlines that the key factors of such a common framework are related to the exposure of a society or system to a hazard or stressor, the susceptibility of the system or community exposed, and its resilience and adaptive capacity. Additionally, it underlines the necessity to consider key factors and multiple thematic dimensions when assessing vulnerability in the context of natural and socio-natural hazards. In this regard, it shows key linkages between the different concepts used within the disaster risk management (DRM) and climate change adaptation (CCA) research. Further, it helps to illustrate the strong relationships between different concepts used in DRM and CCA. The framework is also a tool for communicating complexity and stresses the need for societal change in order to reduce risk and to promote adaptation. With regard to this, the policy relevance of the framework and first results of its application are outlined. Overall, the framework presented enhances the discussion on how to frame and link vulnerability, disaster risk, risk management and adaptation concepts.

706 citations


Cites background from "Social Vulnerability to Environment..."

  • ...…and suffer damage and loss when impacted by single or compound hazard events (UNDRO 1980; Timmerman 1981; Maskrey 1984; Cardona 1986, 1990; Liverman 1990; Cannon 1994, 2006; Blaikie et al. 1996; UNISDR 2004, 2009; Birkmann 2006a, b, c; Cutter et al. 2003; Cutter and Finch 2008; Cutter et al. 2008)....

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  • ...Vulnerability refers to the propensity of exposed elements such as physical or capital assets, as well as human beings and their livelihoods, to experience harm and suffer damage and loss when impacted by single or compound hazard events (UNDRO 1980; Timmerman 1981; Maskrey 1984; Cardona 1986, 1990; Liverman 1990; Cannon 1994, 2006; Blaikie et al. 1996; UNISDR 2004, 2009; Birkmann 2006a, b, c; Cutter et al. 2003; Cutter and Finch 2008; Cutter et al. 2008)....

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References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the disaster resilience of place (DROP) model is proposed to improve comparative assessments of disaster resilience at the local or community level, and a candidate set of variables for implementing the model are also presented as a first step towards its implementation.
Abstract: There is considerable research interest on the meaning and measurement of resilience from a variety of research perspectives including those from the hazards/disasters and global change communities. The identification of standards and metrics for measuring disaster resilience is one of the challenges faced by local, state, and federal agencies, especially in the United States. This paper provides a new framework, the disaster resilience of place (DROP) model, designed to improve comparative assessments of disaster resilience at the local or community level. A candidate set of variables for implementing the model are also presented as a first step towards its implementation.

3,119 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience by establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another.
Abstract: There is considerable federal interest in disaster resilience as a mechanism for mitigating the impacts to local communities, yet the identification of metrics and standards for measuring resilience remain a challenge This paper provides a methodology and a set of indicators for measuring baseline characteristics of communities that foster resilience By establishing baseline conditions, it becomes possible to monitor changes in resilience over time in particular places and to compare one place to another We apply our methodology to counties within the Southeastern United States as a proof of concept The results show that spatial variations in disaster resilience exist and are especially evident in the rural/urban divide, where metropolitan areas have higher levels of resilience than rural counties However, the individual drivers of the disaster resilience (or lack thereof)-social, economic, institutional, infrastructure, and community capacities-vary widely

1,294 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the development of a social vulnerability index (SVI) from 15 census variables at the census tract level for use in emergency management is described, and the potential value of the SVI by exploring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on local populations.
Abstract: Social vulnerability refers to the socioeconomic and demographic factors that affect the resilience of communities. Studies have shown that in disaster events the socially vulnerable are more likely to be adversely affected, i.e. they are less likely to recover and more likely to die. Effectively addressing social vulnerability decreases both human suffering and the economic loss related to providing social services and public assistance after a disaster. This paper describes the development of a social vulnerability index (SVI), from 15 census variables at the census tract level, for use in emergency management. It also examines the potential value of the SVI by exploring the impact of Hurricane Katrina on local populations.

949 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The evidence that heat waves can result in both increased deaths and illness is substantial, and concern over this issue is rising because of climate change as discussed by the authors, and adverse health impacts from h...
Abstract: BackgroundThe evidence that heat waves can result in both increased deaths and illness is substantial, and concern over this issue is rising because of climate change. Adverse health impacts from h...

565 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors developed a Coastal City Flood Vulnerability Index (CCFVI) based on exposure, susceptibility and resilience to coastal flooding, which is applied to nine cities around the world, each with different kinds of exposure.
Abstract: Worldwide, there is a need to enhance our understanding of vulnerability and to develop methodologies and tools to assess vulnerability. One of the most important goals of assessing coastal flood vulnerability, in particular, is to create a readily understandable link between the theoretical concepts of flood vulnerability and the day-to-day decision-making process and to encapsulate this link in an easily accessible tool. This article focuses on developing a Coastal City Flood Vulnerability Index (CCFVI) based on exposure, susceptibility and resilience to coastal flooding. It is applied to nine cities around the world, each with different kinds of exposure. With the aid of this index, it is demonstrated which cities are most vulnerable to coastal flooding with regard to the system’s components, that is, hydro-geological, socio-economic and politico-administrative. The index gives a number from 0 to 1, indicating comparatively low or high coastal flood vulnerability, which shows which cities are most in need of further, more detailed investigation for decision-makers. Once its use to compare the vulnerability of a range of cities under current conditions has been demonstrated, it is used to study the impact of climate change on the vulnerability of these cities over a longer timescale. The results show that CCFVI provides a means of obtaining a broad overview of flood vulnerability and the effect of possible adaptation options. This, in turn, will allow for the direction of resources to more in-depth investigation of the most promising strategies.

538 citations